RECONCILIATION. Officers of the Army’s 5th Special Force Battalion welcome two communist rebels who yield with their firearms Wednesday (Aug. 17, 2022) in Banga, South Cotabato. They turned over two firearms and a hand grenade. (Photo courtesy of 5SFB)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Saying they want to take advantage of the government’s reconciliation program, two more communist rebels have yielded to authorities in Sultan Kudarat province, the military here said Thursday.
Lt. Col. Zandro Alvez, Army's 5th Special Forces Battalion (5FSB) commander, said the rebels belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) Guerilla Front 73 surrendered on Wednesday to the 5SFB headquarters in Banga, South Cotabato.
“The surrender of the duo were the products of our soldiers’ efforts in convincing the remaining members of the NPA to yield,” Alvez said.
They handed over a .30-caliber Garand rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, and a fragmentation grenade to military troopers in Barangay Lambingi.
Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the two will be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program for appropriate assistance on their start-up as productive citizens.
“We urge the remaining communist rebels to embrace a peaceful return and live normal lives together with their families,” he said.
Since January this year, 96 NPA members have surrendered, seven have been neutralized, and one was arrested by 6ID troops in Central Mindanao.
The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The National Democratic Front has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
